smallest static charge mutes sound

[soundvark]

Hello,

Earlier this week I got a brand new XSP-1 gen2 and a XPA-2 gen3 combo.

I sometimes get a little static charge and when I touch something thats grounded, it discharges with a little spark. When this happens on the XSP-1, sound stops. It doesn't go to mute but the effect is. I need to switch inputs to make it work again.

When I first touch my record player it doesn't happen, and I can safely touch the XSP.

I never had this happen with any device before. The XSP is properly grounded on the wall outlet, as is the XPA. The record player has its ground connected to the XSP too.

Any ideas why this happens? Anything I can do to prevent the mute? Can it damage the XSP in any way at all?

Thanks!

[valgolfs]

My XSP-1 would change inputs with static. I ended up learning to touch something else first. No fun.

[Ex_Vintage]

I would contact Emotiva. For a product that is going to live in an environment that more often than not will be in carpeted rooms, ESD testing should have been a must.

[petew]

my little ego goes stupid if it gets a shock. I discharge my self on the computer (HP z-book) before i touch the dac.

[KeithL]

Most of our equipment isn't especially sensitive to static... but we did notice that with the Ego DACs....

Also bear in mind that, since it doesn't have a separate power cord, the only way the Ego is grounded is through the computer....

(Therefore, if you have a static charge you've picked up, the only place for it to ground itself through is the same wire that's carrying the digital data for the DAC.)

We've had a few reports of this with the Egos, but not too many, although it drove us nuts at the first Axpona show where we debuted them.

Note that, on commercial and consumer equipment, most testing is done to ensure that a static discharge won't cause any sort of permanent damage.

However, having a setting change when you zap it usually isn't considered to be a significant problem.

Apr 4, 2019 19:07:15 GMT -5 petew said:

my little ego goes stupid if it gets a shock. I discharge my self on the computer (HP z-book) before i touch the dac.

[donh50]

Suggestions that have worked in the past:
- Ground the XSP-1 case.
- Add a ground to the stand, or even a small metal plate, with e.g. a 1 M-ohm resistor as a discharge path. Touch before touching anything else.
- Buy a anti-static floor mat from an electrical supply company and place in front of the components (make sure the mat is ground) to discharge before you touch anything.

Commercial testing will not in general prevent damage from repeated discharges; eventually something can break.

[bootman]

....or use a remote.

[405x5]

Apr 4, 2019 14:37:22 GMT -5 soundvark said:

Hello,

Earlier this week I got a brand new XSP-1 gen2 and a XPA-2 gen3 combo.

I sometimes get a little static charge and when I touch something thats grounded, it discharges with a little spark. When this happens on the XSP-1, sound stops. It doesn't go to mute but the effect is. I need to switch inputs to make it work again.

When I first touch my record player it doesn't happen, and I can safely touch the XSP.

I never had this happen with any device before. The XSP is properly grounded on the wall outlet, as is the XPA. The record player has its ground connected to the XSP too.

Any ideas why this happens? Anything I can do to prevent the mute? Can it damage the XSP in any way at all?

Thanks!

I would remove the wall plate and make sure you are actually grounded back there.
Sometimes with the “newer” boxes a ground gets missed.
Replace the outlet/outlets while you’re at it...too cheap not to, especially if you have to move things to accomplish this.
There are things that can be done to cut down static, like humidity increase if too dry. A static reducing mat of some sort to step on in front of the gear.

Bill

[leonski]

Apr 5, 2019 16:27:14 GMT -5 405x5 said:

Apr 4, 2019 14:37:22 GMT -5 soundvark said:

Hello,

Earlier this week I got a brand new XSP-1 gen2 and a XPA-2 gen3 combo.

I sometimes get a little static charge and when I touch something thats grounded, it discharges with a little spark. When this happens on the XSP-1, sound stops. It doesn't go to mute but the effect is. I need to switch inputs to make it work again.

When I first touch my record player it doesn't happen, and I can safely touch the XSP.

I never had this happen with any device before. The XSP is properly grounded on the wall outlet, as is the XPA. The record player has its ground connected to the XSP too.

Any ideas why this happens? Anything I can do to prevent the mute? Can it damage the XSP in any way at all?

Thanks!

I would remove the wall plate and make sure you are actually grounded back there.
Sometimes with the “newer” boxes a ground gets missed.
Replace the outlet/outlets while you’re at it...too cheap not to, especially if you have to move things to accomplish this.
There are things that can be done to cut down static, like humidity increase if too dry. A static reducing mat of some sort to step on in front of the gear.

Bill

While removing  wallplates and all that is a nice bit of exercise, IMO, the best way to test an outlet is with an outlet tester. That CHEAP device should be part of Every Stereo Owners KIT.

www.walmart.com/ip/Power-Gear-3-Wire-Receptacle-Tester-50542999/16561511?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227016731164&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40873258712&wl4=pla-78765756632&wl5=9031304&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=16561511&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpo7rjZu64QIVFBx9Ch0YBgw1EAQYAiABEgIc7_D_BwE


for 5$? Worth it if you even ever find ONE problem over a career.    

Every home and hardware store will have these.    

[soundvark]

Apr 5, 2019 9:01:59 GMT -5 KeithL said:

Most of our equipment isn't especially sensitive to static... but we did notice that with the Ego DACs....

I think its funny you'd reply to some random reply in my thread, but choose to ignore me.

Should I contact support for this, or do you have some advise for me, other than to take brand new devices apart and void warranty?

[Ex_Vintage]

Apr 5, 2019 9:01:59 GMT -5 KeithL said:

Most of our equipment isn't especially sensitive to static... but we did notice that with the Ego DACs....

Also bear in mind that, since it doesn't have a separate power cord, the only way the Ego is grounded is through the computer....

(Therefore, if you have a static charge you've picked up, the only place for it to ground itself through is the same wire that's carrying the digital data for the DAC.)

We've had a few reports of this with the Egos, but not too many, although it drove us nuts at the first Axpona show where we debuted them.

Note that, on commercial and consumer equipment, most testing is done to ensure that a static discharge won't cause any sort of permanent damage.

However, having a setting change when you zap it usually isn't considered to be a significant problem.

Apr 4, 2019 19:07:15 GMT -5 petew said:

my little ego goes stupid if it gets a shock. I discharge my self on the computer (HP z-book) before i touch the dac.

You can count on the fact that if "a setting is changing" due to ESD that there is a progressive degradation taking place at the chip level, and repeated application will lead to a shorter life. Unless quantified reliability testing has taken place, its a crap shoot.

[leonski]

Not that it matters much here, but, during the MANUFACTURE of semiconuctor devices, even power devices, the control and mitigation of STATIC is not a trivial concern.

Static charge can destroy the GATE region of such devices which are most susceptible due to very thin films.

Humidity is controlled in such facilities and operators may be required to wear an anti-static, grounded wrist band at their work station.